Wasp nests are never a good sign for property owners anywhere much less in the Bay Area. Considering that either hornets or wasps reside in them, this isn't too surprising. Between the pain of the sting and the potential for allergic reactions, it's always a good idea to stay far away.
Unfortunately, each species of wasp/hornet acts a little differently, which can make it challenging to know what to do. Some of the most common species in the Bay area include:
- Bald-Faced Hornet: This hornet has white markings on the face making it look bald compared to other species. However, its appearance isn't what truly matters. Instead, it's the fact that each nest will boast about 100-400 workers. To make things worse, every single one of them will all attack if threatened. With repeated stings, this isn't pleasant for anyone to experience. You're most likely to find their nests in trees or bushes.
- Paper Wasps: The good news is that these wasps aren't as territorial as other species. The bad news is they are happy to defend their nest just like the others. Not only are their stings painful, but also can cause allergic reactions in people. They are the ones most likely to nest inside the home. This usually happens under decks, in window sills, or even in eaves.
- Yellow Jackets: By far one of the most aggressive species to exist in the Bay Area. You don't want to mess with this one and it's best to just leave them alone as much as possible and let professionals handle things. Their nests are usually on the ground making it easier to accidentally stumble upon. While they won't sting unless provoked, that's countered by the fact they're easily provoked.
Wasp Nest Removal: A Good Idea?
During the colder months, you're likely tempted to handle the wasp nest removal on your own instead of hiring a professional. After all, the wasps are less active so it's safer right? That's actually not true, especially in the Bay Area.
The Bay Area doesn't get that cold to begin with and more importantly just because you see less activity that doesn't mean the wasps won't still respond if you mess with their nest. Some common ways DIY removal has failed include:
- Burn The Nest: Fire is not only pretty, but it's quite destructive. As such, it will certainly burn the wasp nest to nothing. However, this method is very dangerous and isn't even fully successful. For starters, the nest is made of a papery material, which means other things can catch fire if near the nest. Plus, it's impossible to account for every wasp meaning you leave yourself is open to repeated stings.
- Drown The Nest: We can acknowledge that fire is dangerous now, but what about water? Long story short? This method doesn't work at all. In fact, it can cause additional property damage and you're still likely to face wasps bent on revenge. Don't try this one.
- Baseball Bat: Seriously, this approach has been tried. This method involves taking a bat and swinging at the nest to use brute force. Admittedly, this can destroy the nest structure, but it will not address the wasps or hornets themselves. Do you really want to be that close to all of those stingers? We don't either.
Safe Wasp Nest Removal With Bay Pest Solution
Our team at Bay Pest Solution focuses on using safe and effective pest control solutions including addressing wasp nests and the problems associated with them. We have trained and equipped ourselves to handle the inherent danger of wasp nest removal to ensure the ongoing safety of our Bay Area customers.
Have a wasp nest problem? Give our team at Bay Pest Solution a call or go online to schedule your free quote for all of your pest control needs.